SNOHOMISH — When it comes to her acting troupe, director Jeanne Whitney has to be prepared for anything.
She also must keep an ample supply of hay on hand.
No matter how carefully Whitney plans her shows, it’s impossible to know when Tillie, a miniature black Zebu, might tinkle.
So it’s important to give the Wise Men clear instructions.
“I tell them not to kneel behind Tillie, to be sure to go around,” Whitney said.
Otherwise, there could be a bath.
Tonight, the Snohomish woman’s animals — Tillie; Hosea the donkey; Jacob sheep Ruby and Tansy; and Angora goats Diamond and Majesty — are ready to help bring a Christmas Nativity scene to life.
Performances are scheduled for 6, 6:30 and 7 tonight at The First Congregational Church of Maltby, 21111 86th Ave. SE, Snohomish.
Children from the Maltby church and several other churches are set to play the parts of Mary, Joseph, the Wise Men, the shepherds and the angels. Whitney, her daughter Ellen Whitney, and Jeff Quill — all singer-songwriters — plan to provide music and read from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
Older children have been asked to help as animal handlers. Parents will stand by for impromptu parts in case they’re needed to get an animal or a child back into position.
The idea for the live Nativity was born out of a sense of rebellion Whitney felt three years ago, she said.
“There were all these people making protests about having religion in the public square,” she said. “I’m not a rebellious person, but it made me feel counterculture. It made me want to do something for God. It prodded me to do what I’d had in the back of my mind.”
So she created a live Nativity program for her church. A preschool music teacher, illustrator and musician, Whitney had been taking on miniature farm animals for several years. She wanted to create a petting zoo that kids could visit on field trips. The smaller animals are easier for children to relate to, she said.
“Jeanne had the heart and the vision for the live Nativity — and the resources,” said Ken Collins, pastor at The First Congregational Church.
“She’s the one who gets the kids involved, puts the play together, gets the manpower for the tents and lines up the music. It’s a pretty simple idea, but it takes a lot of work,” he said.
Indeed. There are many obstacles to overcome, including finding help. The small Maltby congregation has roughly 100 members, “counting every nose,” Collins said.
During performances, Whitney’s animals are happy to nibble on the best hay she can find. Still, they’re animals, prone to improvisation.
Tillie, for instance, relishes pushing at the sheep with her eight-inch horns if they get too close to her pile of hay. Hosea the donkey sometimes turns around so his backside ends up in baby Jesus’ face.
To prevent such mishaps, Whitney keeps the performances short — about 15 to 20 minutes long.
Her animals also are veterans. They’ve performed in the live Nativity at the Maltby church for the past two years and more recently at a Mormon church. They also make regular appearances at petting zoos. And they don’t seem bothered by winter weather. Last year they continued to chomp on hay during a cold, driving rain on Christmas Eve.
The shows start on time. The animals know the drill. They happily climb aboard a horse trailer when it’s time to head off to the show, Whitney said.
Trying to force a 400-pound donkey into a trailer against his will could ruin the show. Thankfully, the hay does the trick, the donkey and the Zebu cooperate, and Whitney’s shows go on.
Reporter Leita Hermanson Crossfield: 425-339-3449 or crossfield@heraldnet.com.
When to see it
Live Nativity performances are set for 6, 6:30 and 7 tonight at First Congregational Church of Maltby, 21111 86th Ave. SE, Snohomish. Refreshments provided. Call 425-231-6814 or 360-668-3921.
A second series of performances is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at Washington Cathedral, 12300 Woodinville Redmond Road, Redmond. Call 425-869-5433.
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